All-day trip has vistas, wildlife, lake
Once you start driving around southeastern Arizona, you want to see it all. Mountain ranges cut through grasslands where Apaches once rode, trails push into the trees, and there are scenic lakes and canyons. You can’t see it all in one day, but you can see a lot.
This road trip will take all day. From central Phoenix, take Interstate 10 east. Ten miles past Tucson, head south on Arizona 83. After a few miles, the road will climb, and you’ll soon be surrounded by oakcovered hills. You’ll wonder if you’ve taken a wrong turn and wound up in California.
Relax. Keep driving. Plenty more of this beautiful country awaits. Here are things to see and do along the way.
Enjoy the view: Turn right at the overlook at mile marker 44 and take a break. This will give you a nice view of the surrounding countryside.
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area: To make this side trip, look for a left turn between mile markers 40 and 39. Grassy hills, flats and miles of unspoiled country await. A non-profit volunteer organization purchased the Empire Ranch house 3 miles from the turnoff and has been restoring it since 1997.
The ranch house was built in 1870 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can hike, picnic, look for birds and other wildlife, and visit the ranch headquarters. Free guided tours of the ranch house are offered at 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Tours last about an hour. Meet at the visitor center, across from the main ranch house porch.
Details: 520-258-7200, www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/ blm_special_areas.html. 888364-2829, www.empireranch foundation.org.
Gardner Canyon Road: This
Sroad, also known as Forest Road 92, is a right turn just after mile marker 38. It takes you toward Mount Wrightson, a prominent peak in the Santa Rita Mountains. Along the way, you’ll pass Apache Springs Ranch, where Apaches used to stop for water while passing through. The Arizona Trail passes through this area as well. You can pick it up at a trailhead just past the ranch.
Details: aztrail .org.
Parker Canyon Lake: End your drive at this 130acre lake about 20 miles southeast of Sonoita. It’s ringed by a 5-mile trail that winds through gorgeous, oak-covered hills. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, bass, catfish and sunfish. It also holds northern pike, illegally stocked years ago. There is no limit on how many northerns you can keep.
There’s a marina, store, restrooms, boat ramp, fishing pier and 65-space campground with restrooms, picnic tables and grills. Paddleboats, kayaks and aluminum fishing boats are available for rent. Boat engines are limited to 8 horsepower. At an elevation of 5,400 feet, it is higher than Phoenix but low enough to get warm on a summer afternoon.
Details: 520-455-5847, parkercanyonlake.com.
To get back to Phoenix, leave Parker Canyon Lake and retrace your route back up Arizona 83 and I-10. It’s about 180 miles each way.